Recurrent Gingival Lesions in a Pediatric Patient

We present the case of a 13-year-old girl who developed numerous gingival masses that recurred after two prior resections. Following the initial resection as a child, she reported that there was a period of resolution for several years before recurrence as a teenager. After the second resection, the masses recurred after 4 months. The lesions obscured the majority of her dentition and interfered with speech, eating, and oral hygiene. The patient underwent staged resection of the masses, and the wounds were allowed to heal by secondary intention. The histopathologic findings of the specimens were consistent with a diagnosis of peripheral ossifying fibroma, which is unusual as these are generally solitary lesions. We believe that this case brings attention to an underrecognized and atypical presentation of peripheral ossifying fibroma, and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multicentric gingival masses.